Jimi Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix on November 27, 1942) is widely considered to be one of rock's the most influential guitarists. In the mid-'60s Hendrix worked as a backup guitarist for Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, the Isley Brothers and others. Chas Chandler of the Animals took notice of Hendrix while he was playing with his band, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, in a New York club and convinced him to move to London in 1966. Once there, Chandler helped put together the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Mitch Mitchell on drums and Noel Redding on bass. Their debut single, "Hey Joe," shot up the U.K. charts in '67, and they became a sensation in the States later that year, when they released Are You Experienced? and appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival.Hendrix completed only two more albums with the Experience, Axis: Bold as Love and Electric Ladyland (both released in 1968). In 1969 Hendrix put together an all-black band, Band of Gypsies, with drummer Buddy Miles and bassist Billy Coxwith. They released one live album recorded at the Fillmore East (1970).

On September 18, 1970, he died in London hotel room, reportedly from inhalation of vomit after barbiturate intoxication. He was 27 years old.

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• Electric Ladyland
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• Are You Experienced?
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• Jimi Hendrix

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